Mangaluru: The one-day workshop titled “Empower. Inspire. Thrive: Student Counsellors of the 21st Century” was successfully conducted at St Aloysius Pre-University College, Mangaluru. Organized by the Department of Counselling at St Aloysius Pre-University College, in collaboration with the School Education Department (Pre-University) of Dakshina Kannada (D.K.) and the D.K. PU College Principal’s Association, the event aimed to enhance the skills and knowledge of counsellors and teaching staff representatives from various schools and colleges in and around Mangaluru.
The workshop began with a prayerful hymn and the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. Ms. Sangeeta M Sequeira, the workshop coordinator, provided an overview of the workshop’s objectives, emphasizing the sharing of practical tools and profound insights aimed at enhancing counselling skills and making a positive impact on participants both professionally and personally. The Principal, Rev. Fr. Clifford Sequeira SJ, extended a warm welcome to the dignitaries and participants.
Sri C D Jayanna, Deputy Director of the School Education Department (Pre-University), Dakshina Kannada, inaugurated the workshop and delivered the inaugural address. He emphasized the importance of student well-being, highlighting their pivotal role in shaping the future of society. Sri Jayanna stressed the significance of academic and moral empowerment, commending St Aloysius PU College for organizing such a meaningful workshop.
Rev. Fr. Melwin Pinto SJ, Rector of St Aloysius Institutions, addressed the gathering and drew attention to the increasing prevalence of mental health issues among students in the post-COVID era. He underscored the impact of prolonged social media use on addiction, body image issues, self-esteem, and relationships, urging counsellors to collaborate in enhancing student well-being within academic settings.
The Guest of Honour, Sri Jayananda Suvarna, President of the D.K. PU College Principal’s Association, shared insights relevant to the occasion.
Dr. Rosa Mathew focused on the essential roles and challenges faced by student counsellors today, proposing practical strategies to support students’ academic and emotional well-being. She discussed innovative approaches, real-life examples, resilience-building techniques, mental health awareness, and the creation of supportive environments.
Mr. Nikhesh Shetty spoke on “Protecting Minors, Advocating Rights: Legal Essentials in Counselling,” addressing critical legal aspects within the counselling profession. He covered topics such as the Care and Protection of Children Act, POCSO Act 2012, child protection, confidentiality, consent, and mandatory reporting obligations. Interactive discussions and case studies enriched participants’ understanding of applying legal principles in practical scenarios.
Dr. Rameela Shekar conducted a session titled “Unpacking Challenges: Case Discussions in Counselling,” focusing on addressing challenges encountered in therapeutic settings when working with minors. She facilitated insightful case discussions, exploring complex counselling scenarios, client resistance, ethical dilemmas, and effective intervention strategies.
Participants actively engaged in discussions, shared experiences, and participated in practical exercises and case studies provided by the resource persons. Each session included a question and answer segment, where participants expressed appreciation for the practical insights gained and the relevance of the topics to their professional roles.
The workshop concluded with participants equipped with enhanced counselling skills, a deeper understanding of legal and ethical responsibilities, and practical strategies to effectively support student well-being. Ms. Sarah Crasta, student counsellor, served as the program’s emcee. Ms. Bakyalakshmi, coordinator, expressed gratitude to the dignitaries, setting the tone for the ensuing sessions. Mr. Vishanth Menezes and Sr. Valsa C A from the Counselling Department assisted in the smooth conduct of the event aimed at empowering and inspiring student counsellors of the 21st century.
The workshop fostered a sense of unity among counsellors in striving towards improved student well-being within educational institutions. The insights gained and connections forged are expected to have a lasting impact on the counselling community in and around Mangaluru.